Charles Smith x Reader

Twenty-Six

Charles waited for a few more movements even though you had already disappeared from his sight. He listened, trying to make sure that you didn't need any help.

The hairs in the back of his neck stood up straight, though the expression on his face remained calm. He had been on his own all his life, this wasn't the first time he partook in making a fool of people.

So why could he feel the beating of his own heart all the way up in his throat?

Swallowing hard, he frowned and got the horse to start heading towards the dark line that cut off your ranch from the native forest.

A soft breeze caressed his long, black hair. He could smell the scent of an extinguished campfire. The men that the sheriff had left behind were now gone from their hideouts.

Your plan seemed to work just in his favour.

Charles didn't know exactly why but even though it had been a simple plan it was still a good one. You had reacted quick and looked for an alternative as soon as he had mentioned issues.

Not everyone was willing to go the extra mile to make things work. Most people, or at least the ones he had met over the course of his life, would have ran into this wall head first and would have blamed others.

Leaves and branches stroked his arms as he passed by large trees. The horse was calm and collected. It seemed to know its way, walked along a row of old oaks and then closer to the sound of running water.

Charles' senses tingled. This was his first time out in the wild after being injured. It struck him by surprise just how much he had missed it.

The feeling of a weeklong weight fell off his chest as he raised his gaze to catch a glimpse of stars that peaked out from between a thick blanket of leaves.

Green looked blue in the palish silver light of the moon.

It was cold enough to make his skin grow goosebumps but not cold enough for him to reconsider his decision.

The horse kept on walking while he threw glances around over and over again, both to make sure he wasn't followed and to take in this majestic creation of nature from all sides.

He wasn't sure if he had ever been to a place that quite compared to this one. It wasn't extremely big or overgrown but the way the trees reached high into the sky, the way he could scent the iron in fresh water running from the mountains. That was something that soothed his soul.

He understood why you had settled so close to this piece of paradise.

An owl softly whispered its call into the night.

Suddenly, between thick tree trunks and soft leaves, an opening tore a beam of light into the dark and a river of crystal clear water appeared.

The silver stands of the moon painted diamonds onto the calm surface, twisted and pulled them until they crumbled to nothing but stardust.

Dark brown eyes wandered through the newly found light. Charles' eyebrows rose.

"Footprints...", he muttered and bend down.

But as he wanted to slip off the horse he was reminded that if he was down once he wouldn't be able to get up on top anymore. At least not by himself.

His body was still sore and even though the pain faded by the day it still didn't feel like his body was the way it used to be. Perhaps it never would but that was a different story.

Unconsciously, his hand wiped over his shoulder. Thick bandages pressed against the fabric of his shirt. He could feel how they were a little damp, stuck to his skin due to the blood that seeped into them.

It was probably time to change them again. But he didn't have any spare bandages on him and, if he was truly honest with himself, also didn't want to.

It hurt whenever he moved too much and since he was still limited he struggled with something as simple as cleaning his own wounds.

Also, even though he hated to accept it as reality, he quite enjoyed when you did it for him stead. Even though you were no professional by no means he could feel how thoughtful and precise you tried to be.

It made him feel at ease to know that someone was willing to take such good care of him. Even if he didn't deserve it in the first place.

You were a stranger, but a kind one. And that alone was enough to make him like you. It was simple, really, but as a man like him it was all that mattered.

Kindness.

He'd just as you to help him change them once he was back at the house.

His attention returned to the footprints that filled with water whenever the river took a turn. The trail was fresh and easy to read.

Until Charles lost them.

Confused, he frowned and let the horse stand still for a second. Then he tilted his head and looked at the other side of the riverbed.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Aponi seems to be a smart woman.", he said and made the horse cross the river.

Not far from the other side the footsteps appeared again, together with prints of another. Charles bend down as close as his limited movement allowed him.

"A man...", he muttered to himself.

Out of reflex his hand reached down to feel for his weapon. He had no intention putting it to use. But if it happened to be necessary he wanted to make sure that he had one on him.

Cold metal nestled against the tips of his fingers. A long, soft breath escaped his lips.

He made the horse walk along the footprints, all the way down till the riverbed broadened and more stones appeared along the shore.

Right there, in the silver light of a full moon, sat a couple, untouched in their peace and enchanted by the night.

One of them, a young woman, tilted her head as she noticed Charles approach.

"Are you Aponi?", he asked with a bow of his head. "My name is Charles."